The study deals with the energy-saving process of hot open die elongation forging of heavy steel forgings on an 80 MN industrial hydraulic forging press. Three innovative energy-saving power supply solutions useful for industrial hydraulic forging presses were analyzsed. The energy-saving power supply of hydraulic forging presses consists in reducing electricity consumption by the electric motor driving the pumps, reducing the noise emitted by pumps and reducing leaks in hydraulic piston cylinders. The predicted forging force as a function of heavy steel forging heights for various deformation temperatures and strain rates was determined. A simulation model of the 80 MN hydraulic forging press is presented, which is useful for determining the time-varying parameters during the forging process. An energy-saving control for the hydraulic forging press based on the forging process parameters’ prediction has been developed. Real-time model predictive control (MPC) was developed based on multiple inputs multiple outputs (MIMO), and global predictive control (GPC). The GPC has been implemented in the control system of an 80 MN industrial hydraulic forging press. The main advantage of this control system is the repeatability of the forging process and minimization of the size deviation of heavy large steel forgings

This review examines compressed air receiver tanks (CARTs) for the improved energy efficiency of various pneumatic systems such as compressed air systems (CAS), compressed air energy storage systems (CAESs), pneumatic propulsion systems (PPSs), pneumatic drive systems (PDSs), pneumatic servo drives (PSDs), pneumatic brake systems (PBSs), and compressed air vehicles (CAVs). The basic formulas and energy efficiency indicators used in a CART calculation and selection are included. New scientific research by the authors on measurements based on tank methods, numerical solutions in the process of charging and discharging, the valve-to-tank-to-valve system and pneumatic propulsion system was presented. The numerical model of the valve-tank-valve system takes into account CART polytropic charging and discharging processes, the mass flow balance equation, and the sound (choked) and subsonic mass flow rate in the inlet and outlet valves. Future research directions to improve the energy efficiency of a CART charging and discharge are highlighted. The effective density of energy storage in CART was compared to that of other renewable energy sources and other fuels. Economic and environmental issues were also considered by adopting various energy performance indicators. The discussion also focused on the design concept and computational model of the hybrid tricycle bike (HTB) pneumatic propulsion system.

This review discusses new technologies in the construction industry, such as digitalization, automation, and robotization, which have an impact on improving sustainable construction in the digital transformation in the era of Industry 4.0. This review focuses specifically on the impact of robotic technology on the triad of sustainable construction: economy, environment, and society. Current trends in the construction industry related to common data environments (CDEs), building information modeling (BIM), construction robots (CRs), and bricklaying robots (BRs) are highlighted. Robotics technology used throughout the construction industry in a sustainable construction context is presented, including bricklaying, plastering, painting, welding, prefabrication, and material handling. New trends in robotics technology with respect to robotic bricklaying are presented, and the first mobile robotic bricklaying system (RBS) in Poland, which was designed, modeled, simulated, and built from scratch, is distinguished. The RBS was tested under laboratory conditions and verified on the construction site. Included are the main factors that make it impossible to spread robotic technology on construction sites, and furthermore, many solutions are proposed to problems associated with the robotic transformation. The discussed robotic technology is not limited only to a purely technical approach but takes into account challenges corresponding to the circular economy.

This review article deals with hydro-pneumatic accumulators (HPAs) charged with nitrogen. The focus is on HPA models used in the study of the energy efficiency of hydraulic systems. Hydraulic circuits with HPA are presented along with their various applications for delivering the required volume of fluid, maintaining the required pressure, ensuring safe operation, safety stop, leak compensation, fluid volume change compensation, pulsation damping, and pressure shock absorption. A general regenerative hydraulic system and a general hybrid hydraulic system are also presented. The review focuses primarily on HPA computational, dynamic, and simulation models. Basic HPA calculation parameters and computational models of energy storage and thermodynamic cycle are presented. Various computational and dynamic models of HPA have been defined, such as the thermodynamic model, simulation model, dynamic model, pulsation damper model, and shock pulse damper model. Research projects that have used HPA in industrial hydraulic systems are reviewed, such as those maintaining operating pressure in an industrial 80 MN open-die hydraulic forging press and acting as a shock pulse absorber in the lifting and levelling module of a tracked mobile robotic bricklaying system. The development of energy storage technology in HPA from various sources is now a global challenge.

SUMMARY: This study presents a new design of a wearable orthosis of elbow joint with a bimuscular pneumatic servo-drive (PSD) with control based on the recording of bioelectric signals (BESs). The authors analyzed the impact of the induced brain activity and the muscular tension within the head of the participant on the BESs that can be used to control the PSD of the elbow joint orthosis. To control the elbow joint orthosis, a distributed control system (DCS) was developed, which contains two control layers: a master layer connected to the device for recording the BES and a direct layer contained in a wireless manner with the controller of the PSD. A kinematic-dynamic model of the elbow joint orthosis, patterned after the biological model of human biceps–triceps, was used in the programming of the PSD controller. A biomimetic dynamic model of the pneumatic muscle actuator (PMA) was used, in which the contraction force results from the adopted exponential static model of the pneumatic muscle (PM). The use of direct visual feedback (DVF) makes it possible for the participant to focus on the movement of the orthosis taking into account the motoric functions of the elbow.